Two Canoeists Found Dead After Nighttime Trip on Tomales Bay

Two men were found dead in Tomales Bay after leaving their White Gulch Beach campsite for a nighttime paddle during the weekend of August 29–30, 2026.

Authorities identify the men

KQED reporter Sarah Wright's September 2 account identified them as Casey Flynn Melia, 36, of San Francisco, and Alexander Ferguson, 37, of Pacifica.

Marin County authorities told KQED the men left shortly before midnight to look for bioluminescence. Their camping group contacted emergency services after they did not return the following morning. First responders found both men in the water. Authorities said both were wearing life jackets.

The cited account does not establish what caused the men to enter the water or a final cause of death.

Tomales Bay boating information

The National Park Service's Point Reyes boating safety guidance recommends checking marine weather and tides, inspecting equipment, carrying dry clothing and sharing your route and return time with someone on shore. It also advises paddlers to wear life jackets and prepare for cold water.

That guidance is general information for visitors. It does not establish that weather, equipment or any person's conduct caused these deaths.

Questions after a fatal boating incident

Families can keep the investigating agency's case number and any trip records, photographs or correspondence together. If there are questions about a legal review, GJEL's boating accident practice and San Francisco team provide information about obtaining help.

Sources checked September 8, 2026. The incident account is drawn from KQED's September 2 report; the safety section is separately attributed to the National Park Service.